Corbyn ally quits in row over council tax rises

Chris Williamson, the shadow fire and emergency services minister, has quit Labour’s front benches after suggesting council taxes should be doubled for owners of large properties.

He resigned after Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, said he should stick to party policy if he were to remain in the shadow government.

Mr Williamson had called for the doubling of council taxes on Band E properties to help fund public services. But Mr Corbyn’s team, which already plans extra taxes for those on incomes over £80,000, feared people would think Labour wanted further tax raids on the middle classes.